This isn't a book review. I don't do those any longer. Well, mostly.
I met the author of Racing the Devil in September at Lee Lofland's Writer's Police Academy in North Carolina, and came home with an autographed book that, frankly, appeared on the surface to be closer to amateur than promising. Know what I mean? I placed it on my TBR pile and looking at it over the past few weeks, was pretty much guilted into reading it. Although I enjoyed meeting the author, someone I believe will be a friend beyond that one little conference, I was concerned about not liking Terrell's words and finding myself kind of stuck for a response.
Turns out, that isn't a problem. (Phew!)
Terrell straps us on to a ride from the first page, and doesn't let us get off until the last. Racing the Devil is quite simply a fast-paced, well-written, character infused, plot-driven, gorgeous read. I literally gave myself the gift of time to read on when I should have been attending to other things.
Part of Suspense Novelist's reason for existence is, in its own small way, to showcase talent. Jaden E. Terrell has it, and this first novel is Exhibit A.
CR: Evil at Heart by Chelsea Cain.
It's all better with friends.
So....what was it that made you have your initial impression? The cover? The blurb? The first few lines? Curious to know and glad you found out you had a good read.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest (and I'm gonna sound awful here) it was the glossy cover. It reminded me of oh-too-many self-pubbed books I'd read that had good bones but poor structure, poor craft, poor editing. But Racing the Devil was none of those things. A terrific book. And I'm ashamed by my initial perception.
ReplyDeletePeg, thank you for the kind words about RACING the DEVIL, and for your generosity in devoting blog space to it. It means a lot to me that you liked it.
ReplyDeleteI often have the same initial response to books by people I meet and like; I put off reading them because I'm afraid I won't like them, and then what would I do?
Okay. You outed yourself. *grin*
ReplyDeleteThe truth is, Beth, your book is one of the best I've read this year. In the top ten, that's for sure.
OK! Since I couldn't make WPA and only have the T-shirt, looks like I'll have to invest in Beth's book. Look forward to a good read.
ReplyDeleteWay to go, Eileen! Just an aside, the pen name she was using until recently was E. Michael Terrell. So don't be confused if you see a book with that name on the cover.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, Kelly read it as well and is as impressed as I am with Beth's talent.
Beth (Jaden) and I had a fun time at the "Deadly Dinner" event in Calhoun GA last month. I'm glad you gave her such a great plug. She's a good writer and a kind person.
ReplyDeleteBeth is a wonderful writer. Her voice is one of those that makes you want to read more. And, yes, she's a really nice person.
ReplyDeleteThank you all.
ReplyDeletePeg, I guess I need a different photo, maybe a labrador in a Fedora. :o)
I tried to change the name on my Google profile to Jaden yesterday; it saide it worked, but apparently, it didn't. (Sigh) Oh well, the cat's out of the bag as soon as I go to a signing.
Fran, I enjoyed seeing you at the Deadly Dinner as well.
ReplyDeleteLee, what a wonderful surprise. Lee has the best book on police procedure I've ever read--a must-have for any mystery writer. (Even if you write cozies, your sleuth will have to deal with the police.) And his Writers' Police Academy is a terrific event--as Peg can attest.